MOSCOW, Jan 29 (Reuters): Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Ukraine could find a legal way to hold peace talks with Russia on ending their nearly three-year-old war, but Moscow sees no willingness on Kyiv's part to engage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately dismissed Putin's statements questioning his legitimacy, saying that the Kremlin chief had shown he was afraid of talks and sought to prolong the war.
Putin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by Zelensky's "illegitimacy" in remaining in power beyond his mandate with no authority to sign documents.
"But essentially, if they want to proceed, there is a legal way to do it. Let the chairman of the Rada (Ukraine's parliament) handle it in accordance with the constitution," Putin told top Kremlin reporter Pavel Zarubin.
"If there is a desire, we can resolve any legal issues. However, so far, we simply do not see such a desire."
If Ukraine showed a desire to negotiate and seek compromises, Putin said, "let anyone suitable lead those talks. We will naturally secure what meets our interests.
"But in terms of signing documents, everything has to be done in a way that legal experts confirm the legitimacy of those who are authorised by the Ukrainian state to sign these agreements."
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